SWAIN, E. G. (1861-1938). Stoneground Ghost Tales. Compiled from the Recollections of the Reverend Roland Batchel, Vicar of the Parish. Cambridge: W. Heffer & Sons Ltd., 1912. 8vo. [188] pp. Publisher's full blue cloth, front board decoratively stamped in black and grey, spine lettered in black. THE RARE FIRST EDITION OF THIS COLLECTION OF GHOST STORIES. 

Swain was an English cleric, and friend and colleague to M. R. James, a famous author of ghost stories, who evidently inspired Swain to write a collection of 9 ghost stories centered at the "Stoneground" church in eastern England. The protagonist of the stories, Rev. Batchel, is a bachelor and antiquarian, like Swain himself. The stories are somewhat similar to James' except that they lack the malevolence of James' stories (this title is dedicated by Swain to James). Scarce.

Spine sunned and edgeworn, some rubbing, soiling to boards, endleaves and text toned with occasional foxing and thumbsoiling. Near fine.